Colton
I woke up to the sound of the rooster crowing outside of my window, groaning as I tugged a pillow over my face. Every damn morning.
“Shut the fuck up,” I mumbled as I breathed in deeply. I was exhausted from helping Brian with the shop, but I knew my way around a car engine.
It was easy for me and Gramps as we had a great staff at the yard. I was just the man in charge. I still jumped from building to building but spent most of my time alone at the shop, working on cars. I liked working alone.
I ended an engagement in Chicago right before Gramps called to ask me to take over the lumber yard. That was a year and a half ago. Gus was finally ready to retire, and Gram was thrilled at the idea of having him at home. I needed a change since I didn’t want to run into my ex all over the city and I’d visited Montana before. It was beautiful.
Mom wasn’t close to her parents. She hadn’t been for years, but I loved them. I wanted to help, so I took her to dinner to explain the situation. She accepted that I was close to them and gave me her blessing with tears in her eyes. She was the one that raised me on her own and we were a team. I just needed a change. I asked her to consider visiting and making amends that night as I hugged her, and she agreed to think about it.
I packed my car and sold everything that didn’t fit in the large SUV. Mindy got some stuff when we split, and I was going to stay with my grandparents for a bit. I could buy new furniture once I got on my feet. I wasn’t attached to the furniture and other big stuff there. Everything of value was in my car or Mindy took it. She decorated the apartment.
I drove away without looking back. I had a decent job as a graphic designer working freelance after college, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t leave behind. Hell, I could still work remotely from the house if I had any time.
I closed my eyes, waking up to my alarm a few hours later. Getting up, I took a shower and dressed in some old jeans with a flannel before I brushed my tousled chestnut hair. I looked at myself as I finished, knowing that I could get any woman that I wanted. I’d proved that all through school and in Chicago before Mindy sunk her claws into me. She fooled everyone into thinking she was a sweet, quiet woman but showed her true colors when she cheated on me.
Moving here to a small town changed my game some. There were still a couple small bars in town and I’d made a few appearances there. I hooked up with a few local girls, but they didn’t hold my attention. Not for more than a night or two. I tried to focus on the yard and when Brian needed some help with his customers, I accepted.
Brian was a good man that was a few years younger than Gramps. I’d gotten to know him working next door as well as the times he came for dinner over at the house.
I knew that he had a daughter that lived on the east coast and his wife left when she was just going into high school. Gramps spoke highly of her, but it sounded like she wanted to get away as soon as she graduated. I could see the appeal at a younger age, but I appreciated the calm here now. I’d had the fast life in Chicago trying to keep up with Mindy and our friends while I was working sixty hours a week. It was fun for a while but didn’t suit me any longer.
I was rubbing my bright blue eyes as I walked into the kitchen, hearing Gram greet me.
“Good morning,” Colton.
How did you sleep?” She asked as I grinned at her.
“You need to cook that rooster for dinner. Every morning with him,” I groaned as she laughed at me.
“You seem to have adjusted to him just fine. I don’t see you up at dawn.” Her voice was gentle as she poured coffee and handed me the cup.
“I guess. Where’s Gramps?” I asked as she opened the fridge.
“He went fishing today. I’m so glad that you came here, Colt. He’s having a wonderful time.” She beamed at me as she pulled out some eggs and sausage.
“He worked hard for a lot of years. Gus loved giving you the lumber yard after he spent his life there. He knew that you’d take care of it.” She moved to the stove, setting up a couple of pans and preparing to cook breakfast.
“You don’t need to cook for me,” I told her, knowing that she would ignore me. Gram gave me a stern look with eyes that matched mine and I laughed as she turned on the gas stove.
“I know for a fact that you have a lot of cars at the shop. That’s in addition to keeping an eye on the yard, Colt. That’s a lot of work.” She shook her head and wrinkled her nose as I sipped my coffee, watching her. “You need to eat a good breakfast.”
I gave in and took a seat at the small breakfast bar with my coffee. She scrambled the eggs and browned the sausage as I watched, thankful that I had this chance to know her and Gramps. I was hoping that Mom might come around, but she was still reluctant to make the trip out here when we spoke on the phone. I was giving her space, too busy to worry too much about it once the work day began.
Once my stomach was full, I finished off my second cup of coffee. I told Gram that I’d be home later tonight and hopped into my car to head to the lumber yard.
I parked right by the entrance and decided to take a look inside before walking over to the garage. I opened the glass door and walked inside, seeing the guys at work in the back on various projects. While we didn’t process the wood in house, we had it delivered from various parts of the state set aside for this very purpose. Customers from a few towns over came in to pick up wood and place orders. It was a successful business that made me proud.
I greeted the guys that were close by, making my way to the office to check the email.
“Good morning, Colton.” Cora said. I glanced up to see my assistant, Cora. She was a striking brunette that was a great helper, but I’d deflected her advances from the start. She’d been with the company for ten years and Gramps loved her like a daughter. I wasn’t about to fuck with that dynamic.
“Morning, Cora. How are you?” I asked as she walked in, shaking her hips in the clingy jeans. I ignored it, focused on my computer.
“I’m great. Everything is set up for today. We have a delivery coming in today and several orders being worked on.
How’s Gus doing?” She asked.
I never used Gramp’s real name, and I smiled.
“He’s great. Fishing today and living the good life.” I assured her as she sat down across from me, nodding. “Everything is on schedule? I can’t let him down.”
“It’s fine, Colton. I don’t want to let him down any more than you.” Cora’s tone was snarky, and I glanced up at her.
“I’m running two businesses right now. I need you to understand how important this one is. I need to be able to trust you with everything,” I reminded her as she rolled her dark brown eyes.
“Hallie is back, from what I hear. She can handle the shop.” I sensed that Cora wasn’t the biggest fan of this Hallie.
“Who is that?” I asked as she frowned.
“Brian’s daughter. She doesn’t show up much, but she’s here now. Let her handle it.” There was definitely some resentment there, and I held back a laugh. Women were so catty, no matter their age.
“I doubt that she’s into working on cars. She’s probably here to take care of her father.” He’d been sick for a few weeks now and needed the help. From what I’d heard, his daughter was all that he had. I wasn’t going to judge her by the amount of time it took for her to visit. Cora made a small noise, and I chose to ignore it. I was here to do my thing, not to worry about some beef from God knows when.
Cora made her way into the main part of the building and I sighed. She was handling everything great. I just didn’t want to bond with her in any way.
I shut down the computer and stood to head to the shop. I had five cars to look at today, barring any that dropped by. I left the yard and strode down the street the few feet needed to reach the door. I grabbed the keys and opened it up, locking it behind me so I could prepare for the day. I got the money in the register, counted down from last night. I started the coffee going in the corner and decided to just open the bays. I’d deal with anyone that came by for a while, since it was early.
The sun was just peeking over the hills as I glanced outside. I looked over the cars, knowing that the old sedan was first. I felt like the owner was putting too much money into it by fixing the transmission. He loved it though and at his age, let him do what he wanted. He might not be driving once the old car decided to give up. I pulled it in and started working on it after I turned on the Bluetooth speaker.